Written by When I was a kid, I wasn’t really the kind of boy who would give a car a second glance. I liked that they took you places, but I really didn’t have any sort of fascination for them. What I DO remember is that my mother was quite enamored by one car in particular. She loved a red ’57 Chevy and told me it was her favorite car. So, I loved them as well, of course, though I was born about 15 years after they arrived in the world. Truly, they were lovely cars and looked so much cooler than the cars they were making in the 70’s. And indeed, looking at them now, they’re far more interesting than any of the cars made today. Those bits of trim and attention to detail have disappeared to cut costs, even in luxury models. I think I would love cars much more if they looked like this today. But, in truth, there was another special reason that my mother loved this particular vehicle. She graduated high school in the Class of ’57, so this was the iconic car that came to represent a very important milestone in her life. It had to be red, of course, as red and purple are her two favorite colors, though, as she says, “I hardly ever wear them together.” So, for our prompt of “Driving” today, I thought I’d take a moment to celebrate my mom’s favorite ride.
It’s true that I was what they call a “momma’s boy.” I loved and indeed still love my mother, and so I happily adopted her tastes when I was growing up. Not entirely, of course, as I was a very independent thinker, so we never shared those two favorite colors. What I adopted was her mindset. It was one filled with hope and possibility. Whenever I had a crazy dream of something I wanted to do next, she never once questioned it, but just set about dreaming with me. Looking back, I realize now that she instilled in me the most impossible idea of all. That there is absolutely no such thing as an impossible idea. No matter how crazy my idea for a school project was, she was right there to encourage me to pursue it. I’d made my first stop-motion animation film in 5th grade and by the time I was in 6th grade I’d well, mummified a rat. That sounds incredibly creepy, but I was studying Egyptian mummification at the time and my project idea was, shall we say, a rather thorough investigation. Never once, did my mom steer me in a simpler direction or invite me to choose an easier path. She just walked with me down the path I chose, no doubt just as excited to see what might happen next.
While thinking about “driving” today, I thought about the more intangible concept of what it means to be “driven.” That feeling that you simply have to try something next, and will stop at nothing until you see the idea through to completion. I’ve been like this my whole life, and I love all of the things this “drive” makes me, make happen. And I definitely have my mom to thank for this trait. It’s one born out of nurture, not nature. Anyone can make their dreams come true, when you have someone cheering you on. It makes all the difference in the world. And though my mother won’t be here forever, I know she’ll never stop cheering me on. Even today, when I decide to DO something crazy or unexpected, I think, “what would my mom say about this?” And, I already know the answer. She’d just tell me to DO it, as though I already knew how. Perhaps, that’s why I’ve become such a cheerleader of the arts. Because of her, I truly believe that each of us has the ability to achieve anything we want in life. Sometimes, the road can have lots of twists and turns, but that should never stop us from setting out on the journey. This isn’t my wisdom, but one from a loving mother who can make a world infinitely brighter with just those simple dreams of a 57 Chevy.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Turquoise, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Photo Reference: pony rojo. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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That’s a great car your mom loved Charlie! I am sure I probably road in one. My high school boyfriend had a 1955 Ford crown Victoria which was quite a car until he painted an American flag on the hood. 🤔 most of the boys had cars of this era. That ages me all though they were not new when we were in high school but no one could afford new cars.
We share the fact that we have very supportive moms.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕Yeah, not sure the flag on the hood improved that car. hehe I couldn’t afford a new car in high school either. And still can’t break down and buy a new one today, so mine is over 20 years old! lol
So gorgeous, the car of everyone’s dreams. And what a great story this one is. You had the perfect mom – no wonder you love her so much. And she, you.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕Yeah, my mom is awesome and she was the perfect mom for me!
Wonderful post and tribute to your mom! Red is always my favorite color car, and the ’57 Chevy had real style. You’ve done a great job of painting it, too.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕Yeah, I had one red car in my life! Truly… I haven’t had that many (only 4 in my life) since my current car is technically a classic now. 😉
My favorite car growing up was the one with the tail fins. It was definitely a Chevy (my uncle worked for General Motors) and may have been a 57. They don’t make them like that any more. (K)
Yay! Mine as well, Kerfe! 😃💕 I just loved the fins! I wished they made cars with more flair today. Most just look like an egg or a shoe.
Christine?
haha!! That came next!! It was a 58 Plymouth Fury… I loved those cars too, but then, of course, I was scared of them! lol 🙂
Lol 😉
My mom was a total hypochondriac and a pessimist. Dad just the opposite. He’s the one I emulate. And I pretty much do whatever I set out to do. Plus I’m a total optimist. Of course I married a pessimist.
I pretty much grew up in a Ford family, but I remember the car my parents had when I was about 10 years old. It was a Chevy Impala, and I remember it so well because it’s slogan was a stylized leaping impala and I loved that shape.
hehe… yay for optimism! 🙂 Yeah, I think Philippe is a bit more worried and pessimistic than I am as well. And yes, the Impala! I like anything associated with animals!
Wonderful car and tribute. You are so lucky to have such a supportive mom!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕I DO feel very lucky indeed!
Great doodlewash of that ‘57 Chevy, and a wonderful tribute to your Mom.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this one!
Nice ride! Another thing I need to practice sketching. Living in a household of “car guys” it is something that surfaces regularly when making birthday cards. I’ve only sketched my hubby’s ’69 Meyers Manx about 4 years ago. It turned out a little wonky. Lol
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! My cars always turn out a bit wonky… wheels are SO difficult to sketch! I used the grid method for this one like I show in my book, just to study those wheels a bit more. It’s so illuminating to see just how those ellipses should be formed. 😉
I agree! It’s the wheels that give me fits!
Wonderful car and tribute to your mom! So nice to have a supportive mom!!
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 Actually I think this comment came through twice, but this one is linked to your profile, so I’m replying again! hehe
Charlie says, ” I realize now that she (my mother) instilled in me the most impossible idea of all. That there is absolutely no such thing as an impossible idea. ”
So much to admire in that wise and loving statement. Bravo to your Mom and to you.
I once wrecked a red and white 57 chevy …fourteen years old, we had a huge farm
and I was allowed to drive it. I missed the driveway, drove through a row of hedges
and then through a lovely white wooden fence (built with pride by my father). The side chrome strips peeled off in great curls, and the paint was gouged and humiliated…new rule, no more driving for me until I was on my own. (I didn’t get me license until I was 24) Still driving, never had a ticket. Funny how things turn out.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed my mother’s wisdom! I live by it every day! Oh wow… hehe… love your story! I bet that was quite an incident!! Glad to know you finally learned how to drive… lol… always funny how things turn out!
You mom has good taste like these vintage american cars!!
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕 I love vintage cars! (and other things as well, of course!).
I LOVE cars, vintage–mostly Mustangs. My first car was a ’63 canary yellow Chevy Impala. $100. Sold it to a sailor for $300. I wish I had that car now. I was a fool to let it go. My Mom had a sixty-something tangerine fast back Mustang with a spoiler. When she dropped me off at Catholic School, the boys’ mouths fell open. I couldn’t appreciate it then, but my stepfather traded it in on a Ford LTD! Oh perish the thought! But I do looooove my vintage muscle cars. My “celestial auto” will be a blue Shelby Mustang.
What a great memory for you, Charlie. Another terrific visual post on a dry summer afternoon. Have a good weekend!
Fanna
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this post! And I’m totally loving the thought of you loving muscle cars!! hehe… that’s just so awesome!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!